Following the announcement by Maestro Raimonds Pauls that he has annulled all previously granted powers, a scandal has erupted around the concert "For My Homeland." This decision has led several choirs to withdraw from participating in the concert, raising questions about its future. While the organizers have not disclosed the exact number of choirs that have pulled out, it has been reported by conductors from various choirs in Vidzeme that they may instead perform the repertoire they have been preparing at their own local events to honor Pauls.

The concert "For My Homeland" is scheduled to take place on July 11, 2026, in Mežaparks' "Sidraba birzi" and is intended as a tribute to Pauls' 90th birthday. Over 13,000 singers, both from Latvia and the diaspora, had previously registered for participation in this significant event. However, the recent developments have cast uncertainty over its execution, leading to a broader discussion about the impacts of the maestro’s actions on the choral community in Latvia.

This scenario underscores the influence that established artists like Raimonds Pauls can exert on cultural events and highlights the potential rifts that can occur within artistic circles when such controversies emerge. The proposed alternative of local events by choirs reflects a desire to maintain artistic integrity and honor their craft, even amidst challenges in the musical landscape.